Around the Island row raises funds

Gus Mckechnie and a team of rowers row 72 miles around the Isle of Wight

Southampton student Gus Mckechnie lead a team of rowers on this epic thirteen hour journey from Warsash clock-wise around the Island on July 21st. Gus spent the whole thirteen hours in the boat while the rest of the crew were swapped after about four hours rowing. The challenge which was taken on on behalf of Lisa’s Charity, the Sir Steve Redgrave Trust, the Haemochromatosis Society and the UK Adaptive Rowing Squad. Gus has helped with lots of different fund raising events for the Lisa Wilson Scholarship Fund and this was the first of a three part challenge for which he hopes to raise £10,000 giving each of the charities 25% of the proceeds. The next event will be a sponsored cycle ride from Southampton Football Club to Dorchester football club, this will be followed by the Boston rowing marathon on September 24th.

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Gus lost his brother Andrew two years ago to Haemochromatosis and has the disease himself; he hopes these three tough challenges will bring awareness to people about the disease which can lead to organ failure. The crews of four and two coxes started the challenge at 7.45am, the first crew change came at Sandown when three rowers were swopped for the long row down the back of the Island. About thirty minutes from the Needles in what was becoming quite a swell another crew change saw three lady rowers and a new cox get on board with a somewhat shattered looking Gus. The girls, who included two partially sighted rowers Katie Dunlevy and Caroline Munday-Cox, rowed the boat home to Warsash for the final leg arriving at 8.45pm. Both girls have been chosen to row for Great Britain in Japan in the World Championships – rowing has just been introduced as a Paraplympic sport and the girls and Gus wanted to raise money and awareness for the sport.
Anyone wishing to donate to this fund can do so on line by going to www.justgiving.com/sotonrowchallenge

The Lisa Wilson Varsity Cup final

Southampton Institute won the Varsity Cup Final with a closely contested game against Southampton University at the home of Eastleigh Football Club the Sparshatts Stadium. A great left footed free kick meant the Institute won 1-0. A good crowd watched the game played on Lisa’s birthday on March 15th. Over £1500 was raised for Lisa’s charity with final figures yet to be confirmed.

Rowing boat launched in Lisa’s memory

On Friday 22nd October a £9000 rowing boat was launched into the river Itchen at Coalporters Rowing Club in Southampton in memory of Lisa. The boat was named ‘Lisa The Daddy’ after Lisa’s e-mail address and website. The boat, which will be used all over the country in University competitions, was launched on behalf of the Southampton Institute rowing club. Lisa was a student at the Institute and graduated there with a 2-1 in Business Management. The Dean of the Institute Roger Brown attended the ceremony along with the Mayor of Southampton who said a few words about Lisa and the Charity and offered his support to the family. Tricia and Clive Wilson also attended with Lisa’s brothers Scott and Ross and Scott’s wife Kelly and Ross’s partner Donna. Several other dignitaries also attended the ceremony along with members of the rowing club. A ladies four from the institute crewed the boat on its maiden voyage. Special thanks must be given to Gus Mckechnie for his help in making this happen.

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Eastleigh win the Hampshire Chronicle Cup

The Hampshire Chronicle Cup took place on Sunday 1st August at the Sparshatts Stadium at Eastleigh between local rivals Eastleigh and Winchester City.

The competition was set up by the Chronicle to support the club’s charity, and the Lisa Wilson Scholarship Fund will benefit directly from the gate receipts and a raffle carried out at half time (figures yet to be disclosed.)

In a highly competitive match Robbie Matthews scored from a first half penalty, but the second half saw a second spot kick saved. Eastleigh had the edge throughout the game which gave both sides a good pre-season run out.

Clive completes the London Marathon and raise over £6000 for Lisa’s charity

On Sunday 18th of April, Clive Wilson ran the London Marathon and raised over £6000 for the charity.

 

A message from Clive:

I would just like to thank everyone for their fantastic support for me running the London Marathon on behalf of Lisa’s Charity.

Your generosity will help five less fortunate students get their opportunity to follow their University ambitions and at the same time ensure Lisa’s name will live on. Without doubt this was the most difficult personal challenge I have ever set myself and probably the most rewarding moment of my life to complete it.

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To read Clive’s full account of the day and to see more photos of the man in action, please click here.